It was a fun book, huh? Have you read either of the sequels? I have read The House of Many Ways, but my library doesn’t have Castle in the Air. Plan to buy it one of these days, but if I buy it I will have to buy the other two…

This book had been one of those, “Yeah, I really hope I can get to it someday” books. You just turned it into, “Damn, I really want to read it now” books. I think I could definitely use a little pick-me-up, too. And I don’t even have a clue why I’m feeling so cranky.

I’d seen Miyazaki movie maybe half a dozen times (in English and Japanese) before I read the book, so I was on a similar plane as you for the book’s opening. I kept thinking there’d be this horribly beautiful romance that dominated the storyline. Like you said, it’s more than that. The book isn’t as much about the romance as Sophie’s discovery of her strengths, desires, and abilities. It’s also, most definitely, a comedy.

I thought I wasn’t enjoying the book until I realized I staying awake simply to read more. I was also scaring my husband with uproarious laughter. Somehow, the itty bit of disappointment kept me from noticing the book’s virtues until two-thirds of the way into the story.

The plot of the book differs from the movie, which led to my confusion. I had to repeatedly adjust my expectations.

In the end, I loved the book. I read a copy from the public library, and I still need to buy a copy for my personal library. I certainly will. I want my friends and future children to read this book, too.

Ahh, I submitted too soon. Corrections: “I’d seen *the* Miyazaki movie” and “until I realized I *was* staying awake”.

See, thinking of this book gets me too excited. I said I loved it, right?